Electronic cigarette

ABSTRACT

The invention is related to an electronic cigarette, including an outer shell; at least two soft layers are fitted around the outer shell and wrap the outer shell therein; the outer shell therein has a liquid storage component, an atomizer and a power supply; one end of the outer shell is set with a mouthpiece cover; the outer shell therein is further set with an liquid isolation component; the liquid storage component is disposed in a closed space enclosed by the mouthpiece cover, part of the outer shell and the liquid isolation component; inner wall of the liquid storage component is set with a conduit supporting the liquid storage component, the conduit is respectively communicated with the mouthpiece cover and the liquid isolation component; the atomizer is fixedly supported in the conduit. The electronic cigarette offers favorable feeling to touch and mouth, a simple structure, and quick and convenient assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic cigarette.

2. Related Art

An existing electronic cigarette usually has an outer shell; the outer shell is made from hard materials so as to ensure its whole strength; the outer shell therein is set with a cigarette liquid cup for containing cigarette liquid, an atomizer for atomize cigarette liquid into vapor mist, and a power supply for providing power source to the atomizer. For a better feeling by touch or mouth to the cigarette liquid, usually, one soft layer is provided to the hard outer shell, however, only one soft layer is too thin, which provides the user bad feeling by touch or mouth during using the electronic cigarette. Furthermore, the cigarette liquid cup therein is set with such components as a cup seat and an atomizing seat, and such complex inner structure results assembly being time-consuming and inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic cigarette, which in use gives a better feeling to touch and mouth.

To achieve the above object, an electronic cigarette of the present invention, comprises an outer shell; at least two soft layers are fitted around the outer shell and wrap the outer shell therein; the outer shell therein is provided with a liquid storage component for storing cigarette liquid, an atomizer for atomizing cigarette liquid into vapor mist, and a power supply; one end of the outer shell is set with a soft mouthpiece cover for smoker inhaling; herein, the outer shell therein is further set with an liquid isolation component; the liquid storage component is disposed and fixed in a closed space which is enclosed by the mouthpiece cover, a part of the outer shell together with the liquid isolation component; inner wall of the liquid storage component is set with a conduit for supporting the liquid storage component, the conduit is respectively communicated with the mouthpiece cover and the liquid isolation component, and the atomizer is supported and fixed in the conduit.

Herein, the atomizer comprises heating wire, liquid guiding component for supporting the heating wire, and a control board for controlling the heating wire to work; the heating wire winds around the liquid guiding component; and positive and negative electrodes of the heating wire pass through the liquid isolation component and connect with corresponding electrodes of the control board.

Herein, the conduit is a hollow circular tube with a through hole therein, and defines slots running though its tube wall for supporting and fixing the liquid-guiding component; and the liquid guiding component goes across in the conduit with both ends thereof respectively passing through the slots and contacting the liquid storage component so as to absorb cigarette liquid for heating wire to atomize

Herein, both the mouthpiece cover and the liquid isolation component define vent holes in center, and the through hole of the conduit is respectively communicated with both the vent hole of the mouthpiece cover and the vent hole of the liquid isolation component.

The liquid storage component is a hollow cylinder, is sleeved round outer wall of the conduit and is tightly fitted with the outer wall of the conduit as so to be supported; both ends of the liquid storage component respectively abut against the mouthpiece cover and the liquid isolation component, and inner wall of the liquid storage component contacts the liquid guiding component.

Herein, the mouthpiece cover at its center forms a column for connecting the conduit.

Herein, there are two soft layers.

Herein, the soft layer is made from any one insulation material selected from Polybutylene terephthalate plastic, ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer, or polyvinyl chloride.

Herein, the electronic cigarette is a separated type of electronic cigarette, and comprises an inhaling rod and a power rod which are interconnected; the inhaling rod comprises a cylindrical inhaling tube used as a shell of the inhaling rod; one end of the inhaling tube is set with the mouthpiece cover, the other end thereof is set with a first connector for connecting the power rod, the mouthpiece cover is inserted into inner wall of the inhaling tube; one end of the inhaling rod which is connected with the power rod is set with the first connector; the first connector comprises a first seat and a first pole respectively used as both electrodes of the first connector, the first seat is used as the liquid isolation component; a first insulation sleeve is set between the first seat and the first pole for insulation, the first pole is inserted in center of the first seat by mean of the first insulation sleeve; the first seat, the mouthpiece cover, and a part of the inhaling tube together enclose the closed space for containing the liquid storage component; and the first seat and the mouthpiece cover are oppositely fitted in inner wall of the inhaling tube with a space between the two.

Herein, the first pole defines through hole at its center, and the first pole is inserted in the conduit and communicated with the conduit.

Herein, the power rod is set with a second connector at its end connecting the inhaling rod for engaging with the first connector; the second connector comprises a second seat and a second pole as both electrodes of the second connector, a second insulation sleeve is set between the second seat and the second pole for insulation; the second pole is inserted in center of the second seat by means of the second insulation sleeve; the second seat and the second pole are respectively connected with the positive and negative poles of the power supply; the first seat and the second seat are threadedly connected so that the first seat contacts the first seat and the first pole contacts the second pole.

Herein, the electronic cigarette is an integrated type of electronic cigarette, and the outer shell is an integrated shell.

Herein, the electronic cigarette is set with an isolation seat as the liquid isolation component; the isolation seat is tightly fitted in inner wall of the outer shell by its outer sidewall; the isolation seat at its center forms a column for connecting the conduit; and the column at its center also defines an axial vent hole.

According to the above technical solution, the present invention has advantages as: the outer shell of the tobacco-liquid cup bearing at least two soft layers thereon improves flexibility of the electronic cigarette; thereby the electronic cigarette offers favorable feeling to touch and mouth. Furthermore, the electronic cigarette has the mouthpiece cover, liquid isolation component and a part of the outer shell together enclosing a closed space for storing cigarette liquid to replaces the traditional cigarette liquid cup, and has the liquid storage component disposed in the closed space, thus its inner structure is simple, and it is quick and convenient to assemble the electronic cigarette.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be further described in detail with reference to the attached Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic cigarette in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an inhaling rod of the electronic cigarette in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the inhaling rod of the electronic cigarette in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a power rod of the electronic cigarette in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the electronic cigarette in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic cigarette in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is necessary to explain, without any conflict, the embodiments or characters of the embodiments of the present invention can be combined each other; the present utility model will now be further described in detail in accordance with the embodiments and with reference to the attached Figures.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first embodiment of the present invention is related to an electronic cigarette 100; the electronic cigarette 100 is a separated type of electronic cigarette, comprising an inhaling rod 90 and a power rod 91, both of which are assembled by means of a threaded connection. An outer shell of the electronic cigarette comprises an inhaling tube 1 as a shell of the inhaling rod 90 and a sleeve 910 as a shell of the power rod 91 which will be illuminated later on. A first connector 5 is set at an end of the inhaling rod 90 which is interconnected with the power rod 91, and a second connector 6 is set at an end of the power rod 91 which is interconnected with the inhaling rod 90. For easy explanation, a direction in accordance with this embodiment is based on FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 3, the inhaling rod 90 of the electronic cigarette in accordance with this embodiment comprises the inhaling tube 1 with a structure of a hollow cylinder, an atomizer 21 for vaporizing cigarette liquid into vapor mist, a mouthpiece cover 33 for the smoker inhaling, a liquid storage component 37 for storing cigarette liquid, and the first connector 5 for connecting the power rod 91. The mouthpiece cover 33 and the first connector 5 are respectively disposed at either end of the inhaling tube 1, while the atomizer 21 and the liquid storage component 37 are disposed within the inhaling tube 1. The inhaling tube 1 is made from any material with necessary hardness of metal, plastic, or ceramics.

The first connector 5 comprises a first seat 51, a first pole 53 and a first insulation sleeve 54, and the first pole 53 defines a vent hole though its center. The first pole 53 is fitted in the first insulation sleeve 54, the first pole 53 is inserted in center of the first seat 51 by means of the first insulation sleeve 54, and the first pole 53 and the first insulation sleeve 54 constitute the first pole assembly. The first seat 51 and the first pole 53 are respectively used as two connecting electrodes of the first connector 5 in accordance with this embodiment. The first seat 51 is shaped according to the inhaling tube 1, is inserted into and fixed in the inhaling tube 1 and abuts against the liquid storage component 37.

The outer shell of the electronic cigarette 100 is set with an atomizing device therein for atomizing cigarette liquid into vapor mist, and the atomizer 21 is one component of the atomizing device. The atomizing device further comprises a control board 22 for controlling the atomizer 21 to work, and a control board support 23; and the control board 22 is mounted in the control board support 23. The atomizer 21 comprises a heating wire 211 and a liquid guiding component 212 for absorbing cigarette liquid and supporting the heating wire 211; the heating wire 211 winds around the liquid guiding component 212; the liquid guiding component 212 can absorb and store cigarette liquid, and may be made from glass fiber or a material with properties of absorbing liquid and storing liquid such as cotton. The atomizer 21 is set within the inhaling tube 1 in accordance with this embodiment, while the control board 22 and control board support 23 are set within the power rod 91, and the control board 22 has a MICRO pneumatic switch for controlling the control circuit being electrified to start the heating wire 211.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first seat 51, the mouthpiece cover 33, and together with a part of the inhaling tube 1 form a closed space like a traditional cigarette liquid cup for cigarette liquid; both the first seat 51 and the mouthpiece cover 33 are oppositely spaced and fitted in inner wall of the inhaling tube 1; and the first seat 51 is a liquid isolation component for preventing cigarette liquid in the liquid storage component 37 leaking from the closed space. The closed space therein is set with the liquid storage component 37 for storing cigarette liquid, and a conduit 35 for supporting the liquid storage component 37; the liquid storage component 37 is sleeved and supported on the conduit 35, and is disposed between the first seat 51 and the mouthpiece cover 33; and the liquid storage component 37 has both ends thereof respectively abutting against the first seat 51 and the mouthpiece cover 33 so as to be axially fixed.

The mouthpiece cover 33 is inserted in the inhaling tube 1 and is tightly fitted in inner wall of the inhaling tube 1 by means of its side wall; the mouthpiece cover 33 at its center forms a column for connecting the conduit 35, the column defines an vent hole through its center, and an annular cavity for holding the liquid storage component is formed between the column and sidewall of the mouthpiece cover. When cigarette liquid in the liquid storage component 37 is exhausted, cigarette liquid can be refilled into the inhaling tube 1 after the mouthpiece cover 33 is removed.

The conduit 35 is used to support the liquid storage component 37, and meanwhile to support the liquid guiding component 212, and is used as a passageway for vapor mist generated from cigarette liquid atomization by the atomizer 2 to flow out of the inhaling tube 1. The conduit 35 is a hollow circular tube with a through hole therein, maybe made from plastic or fiber, such as a glass-fiber tube, and comprises a top section and a bottom section; the top section thereof is connected with the mouthpiece cover 33; the lower section thereof abuts against the first insulation sleeve 54, and is set and fixed on the first pole 53, that is, the pole 53 is inserted into and fixed in the conduit 35. The through hole of the conduit 35 is respectively communicated with the vent hole of the mouthpiece cover and the vent hole of the first pole 53. The conduit 35 defines slots 351 running through its tube wall for supporting and fixing the liquid guiding component 212, and the liquid guiding component 212 goes across in the conduit 35 with both ends thereof respectively passing through the slots 351 and contacting the liquid storage component 37 so as to absorb cigarette liquid for heating wire 211 to atomize.

The liquid storage component 37 is used to absorb and store cigarette liquid so that the atomizer 2 can vaporize cigarette liquid, and may be made from a material with properties of absorbing liquid and storing liquid, such as cotton. The liquid storage component 37 is a hollow cylinder, which is sleeved on outer wall of the conduit 35 and is tightly engaged with the outer wall of the conduit 35 as so to be supported. Inner wall of the liquid storage component 37 contacts the liquid guiding component 212, whereby cigarette liquid from the liquid storage component 37 penetrates into and is absorbed by the liquid guiding component 212, and is vaporized into vapor mist by the heating wire 211.

A shell of the inhaling rod 90 of the electronic cigarette, i.e. the inhaling tube 1, is made from hard materials desired; for obtaining a comfortable softness in use of the inhaling rod 90, and for a better touching feeling by hand holding or a better mouth feeling by inhaling, two or more soft layers are set on the inhaling tube 1; there are two soft layers in accordance with this embodiment, which respectively are a soft layer 711 fitted on outer wall of the inhaling tube 1 and a soft layer 712 sleeved on outer side of the soft layer 711. The soft layers are made from any material selected from Polybutylene terephthalate plastic (PET), ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer (EVA), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

As shown in FIG. 3, the power rod 91 is wholly shaped as a cylinder, comprises a sleeve 910; the sleeve 910 and the inhaling tube 1 may be made from the same materials; the sleeve 910 at its end which is connected with the inhaling rod 90, is set with the second connector 6 for connecting the first connector 5; the sleeve 910 therein is set with a power supply 918 etc. The power rod 91 at its other end is set with a cap 919, and the cap 919 defines an air inlet therein (not shown). The second connector 6 comprises a second seat 61 and a second pole assembly disposed in the second seat 61. The second pole assembly comprises a second pole 62, and a second insulation sleeve 64 which is disposed between the second seat 61 and the second pole 62 so that the second seat 61 and the second pole 62 are insulated; and the second pole 62 defines a vent hole axially running through its center. The second seat 61 and the second pole 62 are respectively connected with corresponding electrodes of the control board 22 of the atomizer, and the control board 22 is connected with positive and negative electrodes of the power supply 918.

Since the shell of the power rod 91 of the electronic cigarette and the inhaling tube 1 is made from hard materials desire, for obtaining a comfortable softness in use of the power rod 91, and for a better touching feeling by hand holding or a better mouth feeling by inhaling, in the same way, two or more soft layers are set on the sleeve 910; there are two soft layers in accordance with this embodiment, which respectively are a soft layer 911 sleeved on outer wall of the sleeve 910 and a soft layer 912 sleeved on outer wall of the soft layer 911. Here materials of the soft layers are the same with the soft layers sleeved on outer wall of the inhaling tube 1.

During assembly, when the first connector 5 of the inhaling rod 90 is inserted in place of the second connector 6 of the power rod 91, herein, the first seat 51 is inserted in the second seat 61 and abuts against end face of the second seat 61 so that circuits of the first seat 51 and the second seat 61 are connected; while end face of the first pole 53 abuts against the second pole 62, which ensures the first pole 53 and the second pole 622 well interconnected. Thereby, the first connector 5 and the second connector 6 are well connected so that the circuit in the inhaling rod 90 and the circuit in the power rod 91 are correspondingly connected. Environmental air passes through the air inlet in the cap 919 at bottom of the power rod 91 and enters into the power rod 91, flows through the vent hole in center of the second pole 622 and the vent hole in center of the first pole 53 to the inhaling rod 90, and successively through the vent hole of the first pole 53, the through hole of the conduit 35, the vent hole of the mouthpiece cover 33 and then flows out of the inhaling rod 90, which forms an air passage in the electronic cigarette, and air flows smoothly in the electronic cigarette to the environment. Of course, environmental air can directly flows from the vent hole of the mouthpiece cover 33 and through the inhaling rod 90 to the conduit 35.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 6, an electronic cigarette 100 in accordance with the second embodiment, its structure and components are basically the same with the electronic cigarette 100; the difference is that the electronic cigarette 100 is an integrated type of electronic cigarette, which comprises an outer shell 8, the outer shell 8 is an integrated shell, and the first connector 5 and the second connector 6 are removed therefrom. For a better touch feeling and mouth feeling of the electronic cigarette, at least two soft layers are set on the outer shell 8. There are two soft layers in accordance with this embodiment, which respectively are a soft layer 911′ sleeved on the outer shell 8 and a soft layer 912′ sleeved on the softer layer 911′; here materials of the soft layers are the same with the soft layers on the inhaling tube 1. The electronic cigarette 100 therein are also set with mouthpiece cover 33′, conduit 35′, liquid storage component 37, heating wire 211′, liquid guiding component 212′, control board 22′ and power supply 918′ etc. The electronic cigarette 100′ therein is further set with a liquid isolation seat 51′; the liquid isolation seat 51′ has liquid isolation performance as the first seat 51, and at its center forms a column 511′ connecting the conduit 35′; the column 511′ also defines a vent hole axially through its center; and the liquid isolation seat 51′ is tightly fitted in inner wall of the outer shell 8 by means of its side wall. The mouthpiece cover 33, a part of the outer shell 8 and together with the liquid isolation seat 51′ enclose a closed space for containing the liquid storage component 37′; the liquid isolation seat 51′ is a liquid isolation component used to prevent cigarette liquid in liquid storage component 37′ of the electronic cigarette 100′ leaking from the closed space; and heating wire 211′ in the electronic cigarette 100′ penetrates from the liquid isolation seat 51′ and is connected with the control board 22′. An isolation component 917′ is set between the liquid isolation seat 51′ and the power supply 918′.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various amendments and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and the spirit of the present invention, and those amendments and modifications shall also be deemed in the scope of the invention. 

1. An electronic cigarette, comprising an outer shell, wherein at least two soft layers are fitted on the outer shell and wrap the outer shell therein.
 2. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the outer shell therein is provided with a liquid storage component for storing cigarette liquid, an atomizer for atomizing cigarette liquid into vapor mist, and a power supply; one end of the outer shell is set with a soft mouthpiece cover for smoker inhaling; the outer shell therein is further set with a liquid isolation component; the liquid storage component is disposed and fixed in a closed space which is enclosed by the mouthpiece cover, a part of the outer shell together with the liquid isolation component; inner wall of the liquid storage component is set with a conduit for supporting the liquid storage component, the conduit is respectively communicated with the mouthpiece cover and the liquid isolation component, and the atomizer is supported and fixed in the conduit.
 3. The electronic cigarette of claim 2, wherein the atomizer comprises a heating wire, a liquid guiding component for supporting the heating wire, and a control board for controlling the heating wire to work; the heating wire winds around the liquid guiding component; and positive and negative electrodes of the heating wire pass through the liquid isolation component and connect with corresponding electrodes of the control board.
 4. The electronic cigarette of claim 3, wherein the conduit is a hollow circular tube with a through hole therein, and defines slots running though its tube wall for supporting and fixing the liquid guiding component; the liquid guiding component goes across in the conduit with both ends thereof respectively passing through the slots and then contacting the liquid storage component so as to absorb cigarette liquid for the heating wire to atomize.
 5. The electronic cigarette of claim 4, wherein both the mouthpiece cover and the liquid isolation component define vent holes in center, and the through hole of the conduit is respectively communicated with both the vent hole of the mouthpiece cover and the vent hole of the liquid isolation component.
 6. The electronic cigarette of claim 2, wherein the liquid storage component is a hollow cylinder, is sleeved on outer wall of the conduit and is tightly engaged with the outer wall of the conduit as so to be supported; both ends of the liquid storage component respectively abut against the mouthpiece cover and the liquid isolation component, and inner wall of the liquid storage component contacts the liquid guiding component.
 7. The electronic cigarette of claim 2, wherein the mouthpiece cover at its center forms a column for connecting the conduit.
 8. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein there are two soft layers.
 9. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the soft layer is made from any one insulation material selected from Polybutylene terephthalate plastic, ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer, or polyvinyl chloride.
 10. The electronic cigarette of claim 2, wherein the electronic cigarette is a separated type of electronic cigarette, and comprises an inhaling rod and a power rod both of which are interconnected; the inhaling rod comprises a cylindrical inhaling tube used as a shell of the inhaling rod; one end of the inhaling tube is set with the mouthpiece cover, the other end thereof is set with a first connector for connecting the power rod, the mouthpiece cover is inserted into the inhaling tube; the first connector comprises a first seat and a first pole respectively used as both electrodes of the first connector, the first seat is used as the liquid isolation component; a first insulation sleeve is set between the first seat and the first pole for insulation, the first pole is inserted in center of the first seat by mean of the first insulation sleeve; the first seat, the mouthpiece cover, and a part of the inhaling tube together enclose the closed space for containing the liquid storage component; and the first seat and the mouthpiece cover are oppositely fitted in inner wall of the inhaling tube with a space between the two.
 11. The electronic cigarette of claim 10, wherein the first pole defines a through hole at its center, and the first pole is inserted in the conduit and communicated with the conduit.
 12. The electronic cigarette of claim 10, wherein the power rod is set with a second connector at its end connecting the inhaling rod for engaging with the first connector; the second connector comprises a second seat and a second pole as two electrodes of the second connector, a second insulation sleeve is set between the second seat and the second pole for insulation; the second pole is inserted in center of the second seat by means of the second insulation sleeve; the second seat and the second pole are respectively connected with the positive and negative poles of the power supply; the first seat and the second seat are threadedly connected whereby the first seat contacts the first seat and the first pole contacts the second pole.
 13. The electronic cigarette of claim 2, wherein the electronic cigarette is an integrated type of electronic cigarette, and the outer shell is an integrated shell.
 14. The electronic cigarette of claim 13, wherein the electronic cigarette is set with an isolation seat as the liquid isolation component; the isolation seat is tightly fitted in inner wall of the outer shell by its outer sidewall; the isolation seat at its center forms a column for connecting the conduit; and the column at its center also defines an axial vent hole.
 15. The electronic cigarette of claim 10, wherein the outer shell of the electronic cigarette comprises the inhaling tube as the shell of the inhaling rod and a sleeve as a shell of the power rod. 